Apple/Peach festival organizers say field will be repaired

Thursday

Apr 29, 2010 at 12:46 PM

By Peggy Aulisio

By Peggy Aulisio

Editor

ACUSHNET — After sparring with members of the Historical Society over mucky fields, Tom Fortin, long-time chairman of the Apple Peach Festival, said he will meet with them and push to ensure that the grounds by the Long Plain Museum, where the festival takes place every fall, will be repaired.

Fortin said the condition of the grounds only became a problem last year when the festival was held during rainy weather. He said the Board of Public Works has promised to restore them soon, but is currently short staffed.

Members of the Historical Society, which manages the museum, said it's become a concern because it is eight months since the festival was held last fall and nothing has been done.

"Our concern is the grounds," said Pauline Teixeira. "We're already in April and nothing was done about the yard."

The museum will be reopening May 1 and Teixeira said the Historical Society is trying to get it accepted on the National Historic Register.

She said trucks delivering beer and other supplies to last year's festival drove across the yard several times in inclement weather. Teixeira said the Apple Peach Festival organizers should put aside money from the proceeds to restore the grounds after the festival is over.

Fortin said in the close to 30 years he has chaired the festival, the weather has mostly been sunny and the fields have never been a problem afterward. "We cannot predict the weather," he said.

Fortin said the town BPW should be responsible for restoring the grounds. He said the Apple Peach Festival, which takes place in September, is a big draw for the town and "a great way to tout Acushnet."

Fortin said, "It's done so much for the community. It's one of the biggest festivals in the area."

Selectmen agreed and asked Fortin to meet with members of the Historical Society to resolve the problem.

"Certainly, the festival has put Acushnet on the map," said Chairman Leslie Dakin Jr.

Fortin also talked about where the money earned from the festival goes, which he said was in response to questions about it. He said the earnings go to a variety of local nonprofits, including the Lions Club, the Fire Association, to the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts for camping trips and to provide scholarships to local students.

Festival committee member Donna Pires said, "The Apple Peach Festival is about families, about children and about bringing people together. It's about the town."

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